Meter phase identification

Abstract

A multi-phase electrical power distribution network includes a substation; a signal generator for providing a different signal on each of a plurality of phases leaving the substation; and a signal discriminator for detecting each of the different signals at a consumer of the electrical power.

1. A multi-phase electrical power distribution network, comprising:
 a substation; 
 a signal generator for providing signals at different frequencies on each of a plurality of phases leaving the substation, wherein each of the plurality of phases operates at a frequency that is different from the signal generator frequencies; and 
 a signal discriminator for detecting each of the provided signals at a consumer of the electrical power. 
 
     
     
       2. The network recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a meter including the signal discriminator. 
     
     
       3. The network recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the signals comprises a different alternating signal. 
     
     
       4. The network recited in  claim 3 , wherein each of the alternating signals comprises a frequency less than about 60 Hz. 
     
     
       5. The network recited in  claim 4 , wherein the signal discriminator comprises a digital filter. 
     
     
       6. The network recited in  claim 5 , further comprising a meter including the signal discriminator. 
     
     
       7. The network recited in  claim 3 , wherein each of the alternating signals comprises a frequency less than about 50 Hz. 
     
     
       8. The network recited in  claim 3 , wherein each of the alternating signals comprises a frequency less than about 25 Hz. 
     
     
       9. The network recited in  claim 3 , wherein each of the alternating signals comprises a frequency less than about 10 Hz. 
     
     
       10. An electrical smart meter comprising a signal discriminator for receiving a power signal from a substation having a first frequency and determining a phase to which the meter is connected, wherein the phase operates at a second frequency that is different from the first frequency. 
     
     
       11. The electrical smart meter recited in  claim 10 , wherein the signal comprises an alternating signal. 
     
     
       12. The electrical smart meter recited in  claim 11 , wherein the signal discriminator comprises at least one filter. 
     
     
       13. The electrical smart meter recited in  claim 12 , wherein the alternating signal comprises a frequency of less than 60 Hz. 
     
     
       14. A method of meter phase identification, comprising:
 generating signals at different frequencies on each of a plurality of phases from a substation; 
 receiving one of the signals at a consumer meter; and 
 discriminating the received signal for determining to which of the plurality of phases the meter is connected. 
 
     
     
       15. The method recited in  claim 14 , wherein each of the signals comprises and alternating signal. 
     
     
       16. The method recited in  claim 15 , wherein each of the alternating signal comprises a frequency less than 60 Hz. 
     
     
       17. The method recited in  claim 16 , wherein the discriminating step further comprises filtering the signal.